Fancy a little retail therapy? Explore the Top Ten Best Shopping Destinations in Dublin recommended by The Castle Hotel, Dublin team.

The Spire on O’Connell Street marks the entrance to the one of the finest shopping high streets and districts in Europe, Dublin’s Henry Street. Henry Street and the adjacent streets such as Mary’s Street, Parnell Street, Moore Street, Liffey and Capel Street are favourites with Dubliners and international visitors. 

Henry Street Shopping precinct boasts two excellent malls, the Ilac Centre and the Jervis Shopping Centre as well as luxury Department Store, Arnotts which opened in 1843. Well-known international big brands and stores stand side by side with Irish retailers such as Dunnes Stores and Penneys.

You’ll stumble into a number of boutique shops and arcades too. If you find yourself peckish, there are plenty of small cafés, pubs, restaurants, kiosks and fast food restaurants You can find some great sandwiches, great coffee, crepes, sushi to grab on the go. Street musicians known as buskers will delight and in the lead up to Christmas market stalls line Henry Street.

Ilac Centre: Open from 8:30 am – 8pm (9pm on Thursday). Sunday 10am - 7pm. 
Arnotts: Open from 10am - 7pm (8pm on Thursday). Sunday 11- 7pm
Jervis Shopping Centre: Open from 9am, closing time varies. Also open Sunday. 

2) O'Connell Street - Souvenirs, Postcards and Books

Located 5 minutes from the Castle Hotel Dublin we recommend shopping on O’Connell Street. No self-respecting tourist leaves Dublin without buying a souvenir, (especially a Guinness related one), a great book or sending a postcard from Ireland’s most historically significant Post Office.

For a fantastic range of postcards and souvenirs, Carrolls Irish Gifts, have not one but two stores located on O’Connell Street where you can buy everything from knitwear, t-shirts, Guinness drink-ware, jewellery.

GPO Museum Witness History has a beautiful gift store located at Dublin’s General Post Office with a range of luxury souvenirs, collectables and gifts. We recommend you buy stamps within the grand GPO itself. Post any letters and postcards up to 6pm (3pm on Sunday) while soaking in the history.

If you love books, we recommend two stop off’s to while away the afternoon in Dublin. Chapters Bookstore, is slightly off O’Connell Street, located on Parnell Street. It’s Ireland’s largest Independent Bookstore with its second floor dedicated to second-hand books. 

Founded in 1819, the Eason flagship store on O’Connell Street has a fantastic and extensive range of newspapers, magazines and popular books. A record store is also housed on their top floor.

3) Georges Street Arcade

Georges Street Arcade is situated in what was once Dublin’s first purpose built Victorian South City Market in 1881. Today it has a vibrant mix of vendors, stalls, boutiques, eateries and a strong sense of community. It embodies that Old Dublin charm and street food culture. In the same arcade you can find the perfect book, have a tarot card reading, pierce your ears, repair a watch and bite into a Falafel.

Located a 22 minute walk from the Castle Hotel or 15 minutes by bus, Georges Street Arcade not only has a great food to try but is also surrounded by the city’s finest restaurants and cafés along the Georges Street, Wexford Street, Camden Street.

 Open 10am – 6pm  (Sunday 12 – 6pm)

4) Powerscourt Centre

This hidden gem is quite a find. Located on South William Street, off Grafton Street and 20 minute walk from the Castle Hotel, Dublin. Deceptive from the front, Powerscourt Centre opens up into a bright contemporary and chic speciality shopping centre with 40 shops.
The stunning architecture and decorative artwork is still very present throughout the entire building. The centre square is dedicated to seating for the cafes and bistros throughout the centre. There are also two terraced cafes within the complex.

Although mostly dedicated to high-end retail, Powerscourt Centre offers something for every price range. Even if it is just to admire the décor and ambience, this centre is well worth the visit.

Open Daily 11am – 5pm, Open Sundays from 12 - 5pm.

5) St. Stephen’s Green Shopping Centre

Dublin city centre’s largest shopping centre is a Mecca of shopping and architectural delight. Conveniently located at the top of Grafton Street and beside the beautiful Georgian Square and park, St Stephen’s Green we recommend this top shopping destination while in Dublin.

A favourite with Instagramers, your eye is immediately drawn upwards to the white arches, grand glass clock and glass façade when you walk in. Capture the perfect photo from one of the central walkways or the entrance staircase.

Stephen’s Green Shopping Centre has over 80 shops and retailers alongside Irish craft and gift stores such as Celtic Spirit, Carrolls Irish Gifts and The Donegal Shop.

Open Daily from 9am – 7pm, Open till 9pm on Thursdays.

6) Blanchardstown Shopping Centre

Further into the suburbs of Dublin is the Blanchardstown Shopping Centre. Originally opened in 1996, it was hugely extended in 2004 to accommodate some of the largest giants in retail. With over 180 stores and 7000 car parking spaces it is now Ireland’s Largest Shopping Centre. About 20 minutes outside the City Centre, it is well worth the visit and there are excellent transport links to and from the complex.

The centre has the most impressive range of shops, restaurants, entertainment and amenities available. There is nothing you could want for at this award-winning hub of shopping, leisure and socializing.

Open Daily 9.00am-9.00pm, Open Weekends till 7.00pm.

7) Grafton Street and Environs

On the doorsteps of Trinity College Dublin you’ll find a fantastic selection of shops, pubs, bars and restaurants along pedestrianised Grafton Street. Look out for luxury fashion, beauty, jewellery, interiors and more at Avoca, Kilkenny Design, Brown Thomas, Decent Cigar Emporium, Celtic Whiskey Shop, Weir & Sons Jewellery and the famous Molly Malone.

Bringing Grafton street alive are the many buskers, mime artists, performers and the flower sellers you’ll see throughout a day of shopping as you weave in and out of boutique and department stores. Take a moment to look up at the store facades, with a mix of buildings dating back over 170 years.

Open Daily - Check individual Stores for Opening Hours. 

8)  Dundrum Shopping Centre

One of Ireland’s largest and most exclusive shopping and entertainment centres, Dundrum Town Centre is one of the newest, most current and centralised shopping venues in all of Europe. Built from the ground up and opened in 2005, it has four floors, 80,000 sq metres of floor space and 3400+ car parking spaces. There are excellent transport links to and from the city centre to the centre. The Luas Green Line (Dublin’s Tram Line), takes you from the City Centre and leaves you just 2 minutes’ walk to the complex.
With so much to see and experience, there is something for the whole family.

Open Weekdays 9.00am-9.00pm
Open Saturday 9.00am – 7.00pm | Sunday 10am - 7pm

9) Omni-Park Shopping Centre

One of the lesser known shopping centres with the tourists, the Omni-Park Shopping Centre is another of Dublin’s major shopping complexes and is located just 15 minutes outside the City Centre in Santry. It consists of two floors of shopping and over 70 stores to choose from. It has over 1500 car parking spaces spread over two ground level car parks and one underground facility.

There are various cafes and sandwich bistros throughout the indoor complex such as O'Briens and Subway, and then there are also sit down restaurants with table service available along the retail boardwalk such as Eddie Rockets, Nando's and Zao. They also sport a large drive-thru MacDonald’s at the car park entrance. You can also catch one of the latest blockbusters in the Omniplex. This is the 11 screen cinema that can seat up to 2200 people, which is situated in the retail park.

Open Mon, Tue and Sat: 9am – 6pm, Open Wed, Thurs and Fri: 9am – 9pm, Open Sunday :12 midday – 6pm.

10) Pavillions Shopping Centre

On the outskirts of Dublin lies one of our most enjoyable shopping centre experiences. The Pavillions Shopping Centre is located in the north of Dublin in Swords (just a mile passed the airport). It is a bright and airy complex which offers an excellent flow of shops and eateries throughout. The anchor tenants in this mall are Dunnes Stores, Penneys, Superquinn, H&M, Next, Early Learning Centre and Easons.

The Penneys, and Dunnes Stores are exceptionally large and well stocked. There are a number of enjoyable bistros and cafes which allow the ardent shopper to take the weight off their feet and give them a chance to watch the world pass by while enjoying a meal or light refreshment.

Opening hours: Mon–Fri: 9.00am – 8.00pm, Sat: 9.00am – 6.00pm, Sun: 10.00am – 6.00pm.

Special Mention goes to the many shops at our museums and galleries throughout the city. There are also a range of outdoor markets held within the city centre or parks in the suburbs and villages in Co. Dublin such as Howth Market.